Social media has taken the world by storm and is connecting millions of people and the conversations that are driving it’s use, popularity and growth everyday.

How is this effecting business?

As the world becomes more connected and social, savvy business owners are socializing their business operations and inviting cyber visitors (potential customers) inside for a tour.

The secret sauce for success in business is no longer a secret; it’s tied to doing business in a transparent manner, treating consumers like people, not numbers on a spreadsheet and building personal relationships online before the need for a purchase arises.

Business has always been about people and personalities

Have you ever spent your hard earned money with someone you can’t stand?

Now more than ever a business’s ‘personal touch’ has everything to do with its future profits.

The businesses of tomorrow are going to be relationship driven, which opens up a very big market for aspiring entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses internationally.

It used to cost thousands/ millions of dollars to expand a business regionally.

Today’s technology environment has significantly decreased the costs and risks associated with expanding a business to any marketplace on the planet.

Here are 5 keys to effectively use social media to launch or grow your business

Be a viable competitor

Size doesn’t drive social business, a little bit of talent mixed with hard work does.

Most people are just plain lazy. That’s what keeps the snake oil sales people in business.

So many people are susceptible to get rich quick schemes because it’s simply doesn’t even cross their mind to earn it.

They’re not built to work like machines. THE ONLY highly successful people I’ve ever met in the real world have work their butts off to get where they’re at in life.

I’m surrounded by paradise with hundreds of miles of the most gorgeous beaches in world and I have very little time to enjoy them these days.

It’s a pretty inviting setting to work in, don’t get me wrong; but nonetheless, I work until my butt can’t stand a chair any longer, my head feels like its going to explode and my eyes are bleeding from looking at the dang computer screen for 14-16 hours a day!

I suppose you could become one of those snake oil guys, but their work is meaningless, it takes advantage of stupid lazy people, and if you have a conscience, you’ll pretty much feel like a slime ball.

It’s all about the money, not sustainable meaningful relationships that will add substance and longevity to your business career that could potentially lead to building a world-changing business.

I’ve had several 7- figure earning years throughout my career and all it ever required was to work like a dog and do the things other people are unwilling to do.

Keep learning everyday

You will never be a know-it-all and there will always be cutting edge information/gear missing from your tool box.

There will always be room for improvement, don’t ever forget that.

In order to have longevity in the business world these days, you’re going to have to keep up with technology and the effects it’s having on business.

Things move fast and for as long as I can remember, everyday on this planet just goes by faster.

If you can’t keep up, you’re going to be left behind – or worse, get run over and that’s already happening all around you.

It’s not just the lousy economy that’s affecting business; its the ‘new way’ business is getting done that’s also contributing to the pain of businesses who don’t get it.

Be unique

Who you are at the core is the only thing that separates you from your competition.

This is increasingly important as you spread your wings on the social web.

Whether you’re a big company or small, there’s a culture, a mentality, an attitude that is spread throughout the organization by you.

It’s clearly seen by the buying public in everything you, and those who work for you, say and do.

Word of mouth travels fast these days and the social web can make or break you and your company.

Success and longevity in business, more than ever, is built on the integrity of the individuals who start them.

Have a global mindset

The social web gives businesses access to markets across the globe.

You may not have a ‘global’ vision for you business today, but don’t limit yourself.

Not only do you have access to a global consumer market, but you also have access to a global workforce; the best talent in the world, right at your fingertips.

The world is a big place and the market is vast and just waiting for great companies with great products and/or services to help them get things done.

Building wealth through business ownership

One of the very best ways to build a sizable net worth is through business ownership.

I don’t know of a better way to realistically make millions of dollars than building a successful business.

Every multi-millionaire I’ve ever known is a business owner.

Yes, they have other investments in things, but that’s not what made them their millions – their businesses did.

There has never been more opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to build valuable companies.

The social web is making things possible in business that wasn’t available just a few short years ago.

It’s mind-boggling and it’s just waiting for individuals who see the opportunities and seize them.